Automotive service equipment and method for brake fluid exchange with wireless brake bleeding system

ABSTRACT

Automotive service equipment for brake fluid exchange includes a central unit having a controller for operating the equipment and a communication module for wirelessly communicating with each of a plurality of remote bleed modules to control bleeding brake fluid from respective brake bleeders of a vehicle connected to the modules. The brake fluid from the brake bleeders is stored in containers in the modules for later removal. When disconnected from the brake bleeders, the modules are moved to docking stations on the central unit for emptying brake fluid from the module containers and vacuum charging the containers for brake bleeding. The automotive service equipment and related method of performing brake fluid exchange in an automotive vehicle avoid the use of hoses for returning the waste fluid to the central unit thus reducing the problem of storage and handling of such hoses and spillage of residual fluid left in the hoses.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is an improved automotive service equipment forbrake fluid exchange having a wireless brake bleeding system. A methodof performing brake fluid exchange in an automotive vehicle using theequipment is also disclosed.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

One of the current problems with all commercially available automaticbrake bleed systems is the handling and entanglement of the hoses. Mostmachines require six hoses-one for emptying the master cylinder, one forfilling and pressurizing the master cylinder (these are separate tominimize intermixing of old and new fluids), and one each for removal ofthe fluid from each of the four individual brake bleeder locations onthe vehicle and returning the waste fluid to the unit. Storage andhandling of this many hoses is an issue, and in addition to spillagefrom residual fluid left in the hoses, they frequently become entangled,resulting in operator frustration and lost time to untangle them beforethe next use.

One aim of the present invention is to provide an improved automotiveservice equipment for brake fluid exchange which avoids or reduces suchproblems with conventional automatic brake bleed systems. Instead ofreturning the waste fluid from each of the brake bleeders via a hose tothe main unit as in the known commercially available automatic brakebleed systems, according to the invention the waste fluid from the brakebleeders is stored in at least one, and preferably in a plurality ofremote bleed modules at respective ones of the brake bleeders for laterremoval. These volumes of waste fluid are relatively small, less than 12ounces. Waste fluid is removed when the modules are docked with acentral unit of the automotive service equipment at the end of theservice. The modules are controlled remotely by the central unit throughradio frequency or similar wireless technology.

More particularly, an automotive service equipment for brake fluidexchange according to the invention comprises a central unit including acontroller for operating the equipment for exchanging used brake fluidin a vehicle with new brake fluid. The central unit has means forwirelessly transmitting signals to control brake bleeding during brakefluid exchange. At least one remote bleed module is provided. The moduleincludes a fluid passage for connection to a brake bleeder of a vehiclefor conveying brake fluid from the brake bleeder during brake fluidexchange. The module further includes a valve for opening and closingthe fluid passage, a container for receiving and storing for laterremoval brake fluid conveyed through the fluid passage when the passageis opened by the valve, and means responsive to the wirelesslytransmitted signals from the central unit for opening and closing thevalve.

The container in the remote bleed module in the disclosed exampleembodiment of the invention is a sealed container capable of holding avacuum charge and brake fluid. A plurality of remote bleed modules forconnection to respective ones of a plurality of brake bleeders of avehicle to be serviced are provided in the example embodiment. Thecontroller of the central unit operates the remote bleed modules forbleeding brake fluid from the plurality of brake bleeders sequentiallyduring servicing a vehicle.

The central unit further includes at least one docking station uponwhich at least one remote bleed module can be moved to and docked whennot connected to a brake bleeder. A drain in the container is actuablewhen the module is docked at the docking station. A vacuum pump of thecentral unit removes brake fluid from and provides an initial vacuumcharge to the container of the module docked on the central unit. Thecentral unit includes a container for receiving brake fluid removed fromthe module docked on a docking station of the central unit.

The remote bleed modules each include a power source for operating themeans responsive to the wirelessly transmitted signals from the centralunit. In the example embodiment, the power source is rechargeable andthe central unit includes means for recharging the power source when themodule is docked at a docking station of the central unit. The fluidpassage of the remote bleed module in the disclosed embodiment includesa hose and an adapter to connect to a brake bleeder of an automotivevehicle. The remote bleed module further includes means responsive tothe wirelessly transmitted signals from the central unit for alerting anoperator to close a brake bleeder connected to the fluid passage of themodule.

The central unit of the automotive service equipment includes acontainer for new brake fluid in addition to the aforementionedcontainer for receiving used brake fluid, hoses and adapters foremptying and filling master cylinders, a pressure pump and at least onecontrolling sensor and a vacuum pump for respectively supplying andpressurizing new brake fluid from the new brake fluid container tomaster cylinders, and emptying used brake fluid from master cylinders tothe used brake fluid container.

An improved method for exchanging brake fluid in an automobile inaccordance with the invention, using an automotive service equipment ofthe invention having a central unit with a controller for operatingequipment and at least one automatic mode of operation, comprisesemptying used brake fluid from the master cylinder to the vehicle,filling the master cylinder with new brake fluid, pressurizing themaster cylinder, bleeding brake fluid from brake bleeders of the vehicleand replenishing the new fluid in the master cylinder as necessary,wherein the brake fluid bled from the brake bleeders is stored, forlater removal from, in containers of remote bleed modules connected torespective ones of the brake bleeders.

The method and automotive service equipment of the inventionadvantageously avoid the use of hoses for returning the brake fluid tothe central unit thus reducing the problem of storage and handling ofsuch hoses and spillage of residual fluid left in the hoses. These andother features and advantages of the invention will be more apparentfrom the following detailed description taken with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view, from the right front and above, of acentral unit of an automotive service equipment for brake fluid exchangeaccording to a preferred embodiment of the invention, with three remotebleed modules of the equipment docked at docking stations on the centralunit, the left module being sectioned at I-I to show a brake fluidcontainer and drain in the module, with the cabinet of the unit in frontand on the right being omitted to show internal components of the unit;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view, for the right front and above, or of aremote bleed module which has been removed from one of the dockingstations on the central unit of FIG. 1A;

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E are respectively front, right, back, top andbottom side views of a remote bleed module of the brake bleed equipmentof FIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the automotive service equipment ofFIG. 1A-FIG. 2E connected to the brake bleeders of the vehicle to beserviced, the diagram showing the fluid circuits and components of theequipment for brake fluid exchange in the vehicle;

FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing of a remote bleed module of the automotiveservice equipment of FIGS. 1A-3 showing a docking station of the centralunit to which the module can be docked;

FIG. 5 is a schematic electrical diagram of the central unit and aremote bleed module of the automotive service equipment of the exampleembodiment of FIGS. 1A-4 together with a TechAlert portablecommunication module of the type disclosed in commonly owned U.S. patentapplication Ser. Nos. 11/797,165 and 11/797,193, the disclosures ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the control panel of the central unit of theautomotive service equipment of FIGS. 1A-5.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are respective portions of a flow diagram of anautomatic mode of operation of the automotive service equipment of theexample embodiment of FIGS. 1A-6 showing operator inputs and displays bythe equipment to the operator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, an automotive service equipment for brakefluid exchange according to the invention comprises four remote bleedmodules 1, refer to FIGS. 1A-4, and a central unit 2 with controllingelectronics 17 for operating the equipment in at least one automaticmode of operation for bleeding the brakes of an automotive vehicle. Eachmodule 1 is controlled remotely by the central unit through radiofrequency or similar wireless technology in the controlling electronics17, see the wireless communication represented by W₁ in FIG. 5.

Each of the remote bleed modules 1 has a sealed container 3, FIG. 4, tohold a vacuum charge and waste fluid. A hose 4 and appropriate adapter 5to connect the module to the brake bleeder, 61 in FIG. 3, on anautomotive vehicle being serviced provide a fluid passage connecting themodule to the brake bleeder and convey brake fluid from the brakebleeder during brake fluid exchange. A solenoid operated valve 6 orother normally closed valve is provided between the brake bleederadapter/hose and the container 3 for opening and closing the fluidpassage between the brake bleeder of the vehicle and the container. Aprinted circuit board 7 of the module has an antenna to receivewirelessly transmitted signals W₁, FIG. 5, from the central unit, andhas signal processing circuitry to control the operation of the valve 6and provide necessary information, i.e. visual indication as requiredvia light emitting diodes 8 to the technician during service asexplained below. The remote bleed modules 1 further include a drainfeature, a check valve 9 in the example embodiment, see FIG. 4, that isactivated through mechanical means or vacuum when the module is dockedwith the central unit as described hereinafter.

The remote bleed modules further include a battery, super capacitor orother means of power 10, FIGS. 1B and 5, and/or a charging system toprovide the necessary power for operation of the printed circuit board,valve and light emitting diodes of the undocked modules. Electricalcontacts 11 b, FIG. 4, of the modules are automatically engaged withelectrical contacts 11 a when the module is docked with the central unitfor recharging the power source 10. As shown in FIG. 2C, the back of themodules are provided with a magnetic attachment 12 for fixing to steellifts, etc., and a retractable hook 13 for hanging the modules from thesuspension of a vehicle being serviced, or other means. These devicesenable the modules to be located near respective ones of the individualbrake bleeders 61 of the vehicle as depicted in FIG. 3. The cabinet forthe modules has a handle and/or overall shape 14 conducive tosingle-hand maneuvering by the technician, an integrated hose storage 15for the hose 4, and docking alignment elements 16 which facilitatedocking of the modules with the central unit.

The remote bleed modules are adapted to have their sealed containers 3initially vacuum charged while the modules are docked with the centralunit at docking stations 20 thereof, FIGS. 1A and 4. The electricalcontacts 11 b (only one is visible in FIG. 4) meet and make electricalconnection with the two mating electrical contacts 11 a as the module isinserted vertically into the port at the docking station. Electricalpower from the central unit is thereby available to charge the internalpower source 10 of the module.

The module has a male fitting 21 b which mates with the female fitting21 a in the docking station as the module is inserted vertically intothe docking station. A tight seal between the fittings is accomplishedby an o-ring 21 c. The check valve 9 seals fitting 21 b when the moduleis not docked. When the module is docked, the check valve opens fitting21 b.

The module 1 is in the form of the sealed container 3 as shown mostclearly in FIG. 4. Connected to the container is the hose 4 withappropriate adapter 5 to connect the module to a brake bleeder. Thesolenoid valve 6 is connected in-line with hose 4. When the module isdocked, the check valve 9 opens whereby a vacuum pump 19, FIGS. 1A, 3, 4and 5, in the central unit will draw a vacuum on container 3. Used brakefluid which may be in the container 3 will initially be extracted bythis vacuum and deposited in a waste tank or container 23 in the centralunit. As the pump continues to run, a vacuum will be drawn on container3 thereby charging the container of the module for drawing brake fluidfrom a brake bleeder. Check valve 9 closes as the module is undockedthereby maintaining the vacuum drawn by pump 19 on the container 3.

Connection of the adapter 5 to a brake bleeder 61 of a vehicle andactivation of the solenoid valve 6 will apply the vacuum in thecontainer 3 to the brake bleeder to extract brake fluid. The signal toactivate the solenoid valve 6 is received from the printed circuit board7 of the module which is controlled wirelessly from the central unit.Simultaneously with applying the vacuum in container 3 to the brakebleeder, positive pressure and fluid replacement is applied to the brakesystem master cylinder/reservoir 26, FIG. 3. In use, once theappropriate amount of fluid has been flushed through the brake system ofthe vehicle, the central unit transmits a signal for the valve of themodule to close, and then signals the next module to open its valve. Theprocess continues until all four module-brake bleeder combinations havebeen completed.

The central unit then alerts the operator to close the bleeders anddisconnect the modules and wirelessly signals the appropriate module toflash the light emitting diodes 8 thereon. According to the preferredsequence for closing, the valve 6 on the module with flashing diodesagain opens, and a slight positive pressure is applied to the mastercylinder by the central unit to prevent any trapped air as thetechnician closes the bleeder connected to the module. Once the bleederis closed by the technician, and the central unit detects no flow byflow meter 28, FIG. 3, the central unit allows the current module todrain the fluid from the hose for a few seconds, then closes the valveof the module. It then sends a signal to the next module and the processis repeated until all bleeders are closed. The hoses and adapters arethen detached by the technician at each of the bleeders, and the modulesare returned to the central unit for docking. Once docked, draining ofthe waste fluid and recharging of the module power sources and vacuumcharging of the module containers is performed.

The controlling electronics 17 of the central unit 2 shown in FIG. 5preferably include a digital electronic controller for the operation ofthe equipment when servicing a vehicle according to the automatic modeof operation illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B and described hereinafter.Electrical outputs from the controller control the equipment based onlogic software of a programmed processor such as a microprocessor of thecontroller.

Well known power/ground connections to ICs and other components may notbe shown within the Figs. for simplicity of illustration and discussion,and so as not to obscure the invention. Arrangements may be shown inblock diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the invention, andsignals (e.g., wireless signals) maybe shown in simplicit line form, andalso in view of the fact that specifics with respect to implementationof such block diagram and signal arrangements are highly dependent uponthe platform within which the present invention is to be implemented,i.e., such specifics should be well within preview of one skilled in theart. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known methods andcomponents are omitted so as not to obscure the description of theinvention with unnecessary/excessive detail. Where specific details(e.g., circuits, flow charts) are set forth in order to describe theexample embodiment of the invention, it should be apparent to oneskilled in the art that the invention can be practiced without, or withvariation of, these specific details. Finally it should be apparent thatdiffering combinations of hard-wired circuitry and software instructionscan be used to implement embodiments of the present invention, i.e., thepresent invention is not limited to any specific combination of hardwareand software.

The controlling electronics 17 of the central unit further include anelectronic circuit with wireless communication ability. This wouldinclude a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver coupled to asuitable antenna or other transmission medium coupler as will be readilyunderstood by the skilled artisan. Similar components are provided inthe modules. The transmitters and receivers may be either radiofrequency (RF) or infrared (IR) devices, but they are of the same type.Signals wirelessly communicated by the central unit to the modulesinclude (but are not limited to) signals to open and close the valves 6for bleeding fluid from the brake bleeders connected to the modules andsignals for turning the light emitting diodes on and off to indicate thesequence for closing the bleeders at the end of a brake fluid exchange.

The central unit 2 as shown in FIGS. 1A, 3 and 5 has a pump 18 andcontrolling sensors including pressure switch 30 for filling andapplying pressure to the master cylinder/reservoir 26 in the vehiclebeing serviced. The vacuum pump 19 of the central unit is for emptyingthe master cylinders in addition to initially charging the sealedcontainers of the modules and removing waste fluid from the containersof the modules when docked at docking stations 20 as noted above. Newfluid is supplied from a tank/container 22 of the central unit while thewaste fluid tank/container 23 receives the waste fluid removed from themodules and the master cylinder. Hose 24 and various adapters are usedfor draining/filling master cylinders 26. The central unit is housedwithin an integrated cabinet/enclosure 25 on wheels for portability.

The basic functionality of the central unit 2 encompasses providing avacuum charge to the individual docked modules 1 upon serviceinitialization. An interface to the technician of the central unit isshown in detail in FIG. 6. The interface permits the technician tospecify fluid exchange amount and the bleeder sequence in a brake fluidexchange for a vehicle, and provides process status and/or actionrequired indications to the technician as discussed in more detail belowin connection with FIGS. 7A and 7B. The central unit serves to connectto the master cylinder/reservoir 26 of the vehicle being serviced toremove used fluid, refill with new fluid, apply pressure and replenishnew fluid as necessary. Once service commences, the central unitmonitors and controls the overall process and communicates with eachmodule 1. Once fluid replacement is complete, the central unit alertsthe technician via audible and/or visual alert and/or the aforementionedTechAlert remote module 46, FIG. 5, that the process is complete andthat the bleeders need to be closed. Once the technician activates the“close bleeder” sequence, the central unit applies pressure to themaster cylinder and sequentially sends signals to each module toactivate “attention required” light emitting diodes 8 and open themodule's valve 6. As described above, once a technician closes thebleeder at the module and the central unit senses no flow, it activatesthe next module for the bleeder to be closed. When the modules arereturned to their docking position on the central unit at servicecompletion, the central unit provides draining capabilities for thewaste fluid in containers 3 and recharging of the module power source10, e.g., batteries. The central unit includes the chargingcapability/circuitry for recharging the power sources of the modules.

The method for exchanging brake fluid in an automotive vehicle using theautomotive service equipment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 3,which shows the component configuration of the central unit and the fourremote bleed modules 1 connected to the brake bleeders 61 of a vehiclebrake system 60. As noted above, the sealed container 3 of each modulewould have been drawn into a vacuum while docked on the central unitdocking stations 20. The printed circuit board/controller 7 in eachmodule is in wireless communication with the central unit controller.Signals are transmitted from the central unit controller to open andclose solenoid valve 6. When solenoid valve 6 is open, the vacuum in themodule container will cause brake fluid to be drawn from the brakecaliber cylinder via a brake bleeder at the four brakes/wheels of thevehicle. A filter 34 in the hose traps any particulates which may be inthe used brake fluid. Extracted brake fluid is stored in the container 3of the module until the module is docked on the central unit.

Hose 36 of the central unit as shown in FIG. 3 is used to extract asmuch used fluid from the master cylinder/reservoir 26 of the vehiclebrake system 60 as possible. Then wand 37 is connected to hose 24 andused to refill the reservoir with new fluid.

Hose 24 is then connected to the brake fluid reservoir using a specialadapter. New brake fluid from container 22 is pumped by the pump 18through the hose 24 to the brake fluid reservoir 26 of the brake system.A filter 27 traps any particulate which may be in the new fluid. Theflow meter 28 measures fluid flow and gives electrical signals to thecentral unit controller. The amount of fluid flow used is in the systemlogic as selected by the technician during initialization as explainedbelow with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B. A fixed orifice 29 dampens anyfluid pulses caused by pump 18. The pressure switch 30 controls themaximum fluid pressure at the brake system reservoir 26. Pressure gauge31, FIGS. 3 and 6, is for visual indication of the fluid pressure andthe system. The waste fluid container 23 has a level switch 32 toprevent overfilling the container with used fluid. The new fluidcontainer 22 has a level switch 33 to stop pump 18 when the level of newfluid is low, preventing the pumping of air into the braking system. Asolenoid valve 35 is energized to allow the pump 18 to pump any unusedbrake fluid from container 22 to container 23. This is an optionalchoice for the technician if the new fluid will not be used in the nearfuture. Brake fluid absorbs moisture exposed to air for an extendedperiod of time.

For commencing the automatic mode of operation of the automotive serviceequipment, the technician programs the central unit by selecting thesequence (specified by the vehicle manufacturer) in which fluid will beextracted from each of the brakes of the vehicle. He also selectswhether to empty any unused new fluid into the waste fluid container atthe end of the fluid exchange procedure. The central unit controllerthen pumps new fluid into the master cylinder/reservoir of the vehiclebrake system and sequentially extracts used fluid from each of the fourbrakes in the sequential order programmed. The amount of new fluidpumped to each brake is determined by the central unit controller basedon the amount of fluid sensed by flow meter 28.

The total amount of new fluid used during the entire exchange of allfour brakes is programmed by the technician. Three total amounts (32, 48and 64 ounces) can be selected in the example embodiment. The centralunit controller calculates and then controls the amount of fluid whichis exchanged at each of the brakes.

As shown in FIG. 5, the automotive service equipment of the inventioncan optionally be used with the TechAlert remote module 46 to alert theoperator by way of the portable communication module 46 of the status ofthe equipment operation, e.g. operation complete or operator attentionrequired, for example. For this purpose, the controller of the centralunit has a socket 41 and mating jumper plug 40. Insertion of the pluginto the socket initiates communication at receptacle 42. A stationarymodule 45 of the TechAlert with electrical cable 44 and plug 43 isplugged into the receptacle 42. The stationary module 45 includes awireless transmitter and a wireless receiver coupled to a suitableantenna or other transmission medium coupler for communicating signalswirelessly to the remote module 46 as described in more detail in theaforementioned commonly owned applications incorporated herein byreference. The wireless communication between the remote module 46 andthe central unit is shown at W₂ in FIG. 5.

The sequence of steps performed by the equipment for fluid exchange,with operator inputs in response to prompts by the equipment display 50,are set forth in FIGS. 7A and 7B. The push buttons 53, 57, 58 and 59permit the operator to set the sequence of brake fluid exchange in avehicle, where LF stands for left front, RF for right front, LR for leftrear and RR for right rear brakes to be bled. The several push buttons51, 52, 54, 55 and 56 are for operator input to respectively empty themaster cylinder, fill the master cylinder, continue, flush and pause theoperation of the equipment. The flow chart of FIGS. 7A and 7B describesin more detail the operation of the equipment and operator input/controlwhere necessary for brake fluid exchange in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the invention.

Where we have shown and described one preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, it is understood that the invention is not limitedthereto but is subject in numerous modifications and variations whichwill be apparent to the skilled artisan. As one variation, theautomotive service equipment could employ fewer brake bleed modules thanthe four of the embodiment, where necessarily a module would have to beused with more than one brake bleeder of a vehicle being serviced byconnecting and disconnecting the module in sequence with the brakebleeders of a vehicle. A further variation could employ a brake bleedmodule with two independently controlled solenoids, each connected to ahose. This dual brake bleed module could then be located mid-way betweenthe rear or front brakes with one hose connected to the right side brakeand the other hose connected to the left side brake. Thus, the abovedescriptions of example embodiments are not intended to be limiting. Allsuch modifications coming within the scope of the appended claims areintended to be included therein.

1. Automotive service equipment for brake fluid exchange comprising: acentral unit including a controller for operating the equipment forexchanging used brake fluid in a vehicle with new brake fluid, and meansfor wirelessly transmitting signals to control brake bleeding duringbrake fluid exchange; at least one remote bleed module including a fluidpassage for connection to a brake bleeder of a vehicle for conveyingbrake fluid from the brake bleeder during brake fluid exchange, a valvefor opening and closing the fluid passage, a container for receiving andstoring for later removal brake fluid conveyed through the fluid passagewhen the passage is opened by the valve, and means responsive to thewirelessly transmitted signals from the central unit for opening andclosing the valve.
 2. The automotive service equipment according toclaim 1, wherein the container is a sealed container capable of holdinga vacuum charge and brake fluid.
 3. The automotive service equipmentaccording to claim 2, wherein the central unit further includes at leastone docking station upon which at least one remote bleed module can bemoved to and docked when not connected to a brake bleeder.
 4. Theautomotive service equipment according to claim 3, wherein the containerincludes a drain actuable when the remote bleed module is docked at adocking station of the central unit, and the central unit furtherincludes a vacuum pump for removing brake fluid from and providing aninitial vacuum charge to the container of a remote bleed module dockedat a docking station of the central unit.
 5. The automotive serviceequipment according to claim 4, wherein the central unit furtherincludes a container for receiving brake fluid removed from thecontainer of a remote bleed module docked on a docking station of thecentral unit.
 6. The automotive service equipment according to claim 5,wherein the remote bleed module further includes a power source foroperating the means responsive to the wirelessly transmitted signalsfrom the central unit.
 7. The automotive service equipment according toclaim 6, wherein the power source is rechargeable, and the central unitfurther includes means for recharging the power source when the remotebleed module is docked at a docking station of the central unit.
 8. Theautomotive service equipment according to claim 1, wherein the fluidpassage of the remote bleed module includes a hose and an adapter toconnect to a brake bleeder of an automotive vehicle.
 9. The automotiveservice equipment according to claim 1, wherein the remote bleed modulefurther includes means responsive to the wirelessly transmitted signalsfrom the central unit for alerting an operator to close a brake bleederconnected to the fluid passage of the module.
 10. The automotive serviceequipment according to claim 1, wherein said at least one remote bleedmodule is a plurality of remote bleed modules for connection torespective ones of a plurality of brake bleeders of a vehicle for brakefluid exchange, and wherein the controller of the central unit operatesthe remote bleed modules for sequentially bleeding brake fluid from theplurality of brake bleeders.
 11. The automotive service equipmentaccording to claim 1, wherein the central unit further includes acontainer for new brake fluid, a container for receiving used brakefluid, hoses and adapters for emptying and filling master cylinders, apressure pump and at least one controlling sensor and a vacuum pump forrespectively supplying and pressurizing new brake fluid from the newbrake fluid container to master cylinders, and emptying used brake fluidfrom master cylinders to the used brake fluid container.
 12. A methodfor exchanging brake fluid in an automotive vehicle using an automotiveservice equipment having a central unit with a controller for operatingthe equipment in at least one automatic mode of operation, the methodcomprising: emptying used brake fluid from a master cylinder of thevehicle; filling the master cylinder with new brake fluid; pressurizingthe master cylinder; bleeding brake fluid from brake bleeders of thevehicle and replenishing the new fluid in the master cylinder asnecessary; wherein the brake fluid bled from the brake bleeders isstored in, for later removal from, containers of remote bleed modulesconnected to respective ones of the brake bleeders.
 13. The methodaccording to claim 12, further comprising providing a vacuum charge inthe containers prior to bleeding brake fluid from the brake bleeders.14. The method according to claim 13, including providing the vacuumcharge in the containers while the modules are docked at respectivedocking stations at the central unit, undocking the vacuum chargedmodules from the central unit, moving the modules to brake locations,and connecting the modules to respective ones of the brake bleeders. 15.The method according to claim 12, further comprising, after brake fluidexchange, disconnecting the modules from the brake bleeders, moving themodules to respective docking stations at the central unit, and removingbrake fluid from the containers.
 16. The method according to claim 12,including controlling the brake fluid bleeding at the brake bleedersfrom the central unit with wireless communications from the central unitto the modules.
 17. The method according to claim 16, wherein thecentral unit signals the modules to bleed brake fluid from the brakebleeders sequentially.
 18. The method according to claim 16, wherein thecentral unit signals the modules to alert an operator via indicators atthe modules to close the brake bleeders sequentially.
 19. Automotiveservice equipment for brake fluid exchange comprising: a central unitwith a controller for operating the equipment in at least one automaticmode of operation for bleeding the brakes of an automotive vehicle; aplurality of remote bleed modules with containers for storing brakefluid for later removal from respective ones of brake bleeders of anautomotive vehicle being serviced, the modules having valves operablefor starting and stopping brake bleeding; wherein means are provided forwirelessly communicating signals from the service machine to each of theremote bleed modules for actuating the valves to start and stop brakebleeding at the respective brake bleeders in accordance with the atleast one automatic mode of operation.
 20. The automotive serviceequipment according to claim 19, wherein the central unit has dockingstations for the modules, and means for emptying brake fluid from andintroducing a vacuum charge to the containers of the modules.